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Sudden left chest pain and goes
Age 11 boy.
Sudden sharp pain or catch on left chest comes and goes itself
Especially below the left arm sidewise. It was once or twice a month for a couple of years, this rainy season almost daily. The physician diagnosed it as musculoskeletal or due to acid reflux and they are on it.
No other problem and active health in all other aspects.
Sudden catch or sharp pain bothers and sometimes hold breath as inhaling adds to the pain.
Please advise on possible causes. He had fallen a couple of years back on left hand with a hairline fracture since then it was quite evident.Please advise.
Answers (11)
This sounds most like precordial catch syndrome or a residual musculoskeletal/nerve issue from the prior injury. It is not dangerous, and usually improves with age, posture, and reassurance. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, a pediatrician or orthopedic review may be considered for imaging or therapy.
Next Steps
PCS and musculoskeletal pain are common and benign.
Posture correction & breathing exercises – helpful if related to PCS or muscle tightness. Avoid heavy backpacks or asymmetrical loads.
Trial of pain relief like Paracetamol or ibuprofen during painful episodes.
Warm compress over the area.
Physiotherapy if musculoskeletal cause is confirmed.
Consider further evaluation if:
Pain becomes progressively severe
If there's chest tenderness over ribs.
X-ray or ultrasound of chest wall if there's suspicion of soft tissue cause or unresolved trauma.
Health Tips
Red Flags to Rule Out Serious Issues:
These are unlikely in your case (since child is otherwise healthy), but must be watched for:
Pain with exertion.
Palpitations, dizziness, syncope.
Fever, cough, weight loss.
Local swelling or visible chest wall deformity.
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Hello, I understand your concern
Common cause is musculoskeletal-due to chest wall strain/pulled muscle, costochondritis or even might be referred pain from old injuries/nerve hypersensitivity
In children, heart-related causes of chest pain are rare.
Next Steps
Rest
warm compress
Tab Paracetamol can be given for pain relief
encourage normal breathing-dont restrict breathing due to pain fear
I suggest to better visit Pediatrician and get evaluated with xray or ECG to rule out rare causes since it has been there for years.
Health Tips
red flags:
pain worsens with breathing/spreads to left jaw or arm
breathlessness, palpitations, fainting, fever or cough associated
history of known heart condition
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The pain does seem to be of musculoskeletal origin. How is the nutrition of the child - check for weight, height and Hb
Next Steps
Get an X-ray spine of cervicothoracic region.
A simple ECG rules out any cardiovascular causes and for the same reason a simple XRay chest should also be done
I will also advise a Vitamin D test ( blood 25 OH vitamin D) and Hb
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The sharp, brief chest pain your son experiences is most likely musculoskeletal—possibly precordial catch syndrome, which is common in children and harmless. It can also relate to posture or past injury (like the old hand fracture). Since it’s worsened by deep breathing and comes and goes, it’s unlikely to be heart-related.
No tests are needed right now if he’s otherwise active and healthy. Encourage good posture, gentle stretching, and keep observing. If pain becomes more frequent or severe, a chest X-ray may help.
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Such pain can be both musculoskeletal in origin or due to any other cause. Specially the position and past history of trauma point towards musculoskeletal pain. Follow the pediatricians treatment plan for the time being, if no improvement occurs, some investigations may need to be done for further evaluation.
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